1997 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Sierra 1500 years
- Far fewer complaints than other years 29th of 32 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 83 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 GMC Sierra 1500. That ranks 29th out of 32 Sierra 1500 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is steering (25 complaints, 30%), typically at around 59,913 miles. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 83owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1997 GMC Sierra 1500 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 25 | 30% | 59,913 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 15 | 18% | 138,517 | — | — |
| Visibility | 13 | 16% | 80,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 8 | 10% | 144,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 8 | 10% | 55,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 6 | 7% | — | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 4 | 5% | 36,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 3 | 4% | 111,087 | — | — |
| Structure | 3 | 4% | 85,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 2 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Electrical System | 2 | 2% | 191,065 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 1% | 55,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 1% | 30,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1997 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
Problem: Vehicle description: crew cab pickup trucks. The front, inner corner of the fuel tank can contact the body sill either intermittently or constantly. This movement can cause a discernible noise and, over time, can wear a hole in or crack the fuel tank at point of contact.
Risk: This condition can result in fuel leakage and a distinct fuel odor if the tank were filled above the level of the hole or crack. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could result.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank for wear and, either install a spacer between the fuel tank and the front crossmember, or if necessary, replace the fuel tank.
Seats
Problem: Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks. One or two of the front seat mounting bolts were not installed. This does not comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 207, "seating systems."
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, a seat with this condition will not protect the occupant as required by the standard.
Fix: Dealers will check all seat mounting bolts and install any missing bolts.
Seats
Problem: Vehicle description: extended cab and 2-door utility vehicles equipped with reclining seats and the easy-entry feature. These vehicles exhibit a condition in which a pinch point exists in the recliner mechanism that can trap and pinch a person's hand or finger(s) when the easy-entry feature is activated.
Risk: This pinching can cut the hand or possibly sever the finger(s) without prior warning.
Fix: Dealers will install a protector cover over the recliner mechanism.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The driver's side door handle doesn't work. I believe this was a 'recall' but i couldn't get the dealership to fix it. Real fun having to roll down the window just to open the door from inside, especially when the door's window is frozen. Obviously the vehicle is in a parked postion. The truck only…
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY THIS VEHICLE WILL MOVE RIGHT AND LEFT WITHOUT NO INPUT FROM THE DRIVER. ALSO, MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN THE POWER STEERING WILL STOP,LOCK UP START WORKING AGAIN FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I HAVE CHANGE ALL FRONT TIE RODS TWICE, STEERING GEAR BOX, FOUR TIMES AND THE POWER…
WHILE TURNING A LEFT TURN ON A HIGHWAY JANUARY 28 THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. I HAVE REMOVED AND REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP THREE TIMES, GEARBOX FOUR TIMES, ALL THE TIEBARS AND COMPONENTSD TWICE. GMC IS AWARE OF THE STEERING PROBLEMS AND HAS NOT RECALLED ANY VEHICLES FOR POWER STEERING…
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 gmc sierra 1500. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v381000 (air bags). The part to do the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made…
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 gmc sierra 1500. The contact stated that the abs failed. While driving, the brake pedal had to be depressed simultaneously for the vehicle to come to a complete stop. The manufacturer advised that the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 04v045000 (service…
Other GMC Sierra 1500 years
← 1996 Sierra 1500 · 1998 Sierra 1500 →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sierra 1500 | 142 | 2 |
| 2025 Sierra 1500 | 119 | 1 |
| 2024 Sierra 1500 | 368 | 1 |
| 2023 Sierra 1500 | 490 | 3 |
| 2022 Sierra 1500 | 594 | 6 |
| 2021 Sierra 1500 | 587 | 7 |
| 2020 Sierra 1500 | 479 | 12 |
| 2019 Sierra 1500 | 653 | 10 |
| 2018 Sierra 1500 | 305 | 7 |
| 2017 Sierra 1500 | 354 | 6 |
| 2016 Sierra 1500 | 343 | 8 |
| 2015 Sierra 1500 | 719 | 9 |
| 2014 Sierra 1500 | 742 | 9 |
| 2013 Sierra 1500 | 116 | 3 |
| 2012 Sierra 1500 | 107 | 3 |
| 2011 Sierra 1500 | 284 | 5 |
| 2010 Sierra 1500 | 168 | 4 |
| 2009 Sierra 1500 | 234 | 4 |
| 2008 Sierra 1500 | 381 | 2 |
| 2007 Sierra 1500 | 263 | 2 |
| 2006 Sierra 1500 | 145 | 0 |
| 2005 Sierra 1500 | 177 | 0 |
| 2004 Sierra 1500 | 212 | 2 |
| 2003 Sierra 1500 | 180 | 1 |
| 2002 Sierra 1500 | 166 | 1 |
| 2001 Sierra 1500 | 140 | 2 |
| 2000 Sierra 1500 | 181 | 1 |
| 1999 Sierra 1500 | 158 | 1 |
| 1998 Sierra 1500 | 59 | 2 |
| 1997 | 83 | 3 |
| 1996 Sierra 1500 | 5 | 0 |
| 1995 Sierra 1500 | 3 | 0 |
See all GMC Sierra 1500 problems by year, every GMC model, or the GMC VIN decoder.
Similar GMC models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1997 GMC Sierra 1500?
Owners most often report steering, service brakes, hydraulic, visibility problems. The top one, steering, accounts for 25 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1997 GMC Sierra 1500?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1997 GMC Sierra 1500 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Sierra 1500 model years, the 1997 has far fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.